How can I brush my toddler's teeth?

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The easiest way to brush your toddler's teeth is with her sitting on your lap, with her head cradled in the crook of your elbow.

Choose a small-headed toothbrush with soft, nylon bristles, which is suitable for your child's age. Gently ease the toothbrush into her mouth and give her little teeth a quick once-over.

Clean them twice a day: once in the morning, before she has breakfast, and after her last drink in the evening. She will probably chew the brush and make a grab for it. Let her investigate, but then gently take it back and brush some more.

Turn brushing into a game if you can, similar to the ones that you play to encourage her to eat. Persuade, rather than force, your toddler to open her mouth. She needs to learn to like the idea of brushing. Give her lots of praise and encouragement when she does let you brush her teeth.

Use only a smear of toothpaste that covers less than three-quarters of the brush. Use a toothpaste that contains 1,000ppm (parts per million) of fluoride for under-threes. Too much toothpaste can lead to mottling on the teeth (fluorosis), so encourage your toddler to spit out the leftover paste. She doesn't need to rinse her mouth with water after brushing.

Gradually start brushing your toddler's teeth more thoroughly, so that eventually you are covering all the surfaces of the teeth. As she grows, right up until she is about seven years old, you will need to do the brushing for her. But you can gradually give her more responsibility for brushing as time goes on.

If sitting on your lap loses its appeal, try kneeling or sitting on the floor behind your child. Ask her to lie down with her head in your lap so you can see all her teeth and reach her top and bottom teeth more easily. You can cradle her chin in your hand if she will let you.

When she wriggles, you can easily move your arm and the brush out of the way. She can't run away, but you won't feel that you are forcing the brush into her mouth.

As well as a good brushing position, remember that young children love to copy. So make sure that your toddler sees you brushing your teeth every morning and evening.

As she gets older, you could let her choose her own children's toothbrush, and pick out her favourite colour. This may add an extra incentive for her to get brushing.

If you're still having problems, despite your best efforts, talk to your health visitor, or see your dentist.

Last reviewed: July 2012

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I use fluoride toothpaste kids crest (cavity protection) to brush my 2 year old daughters teeth. She does good she cries of corse but yea. My problem is when it's rinse time i drink and spit but she doesn't copy me. She swallows the water instead of spitting it out.
Is this dangerous?
Could this cause damage to her tummy?
Help please?

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